Garment clasp



M. M. MAXWELL.

GARMENT CLASP. APPLICATION FILED APR.2I, 1921.

11,403,907. Patented Jan. 17,1922.

dfNVENTR. BY

ATTORNEY MARG-ALRET M. MAXWELL, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

GARMENT CLASP.

Application filed April 21, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARGARET M. MaxwnLL, a citizen of the United States, res1ding at Bridgeport, county of F airfield, State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Urarment Clasps, of which the folowing is a specification.

This invention relates to garment supporters and has for its object to dispense with independent shoulder straps on various articles of ladies wear, as for instance, chemise, vest, brassiere, and evening dress. It consists principally of a clasp or buckle adapted to secure itself by a single movement, both to the strap passing over the shoulder and to one or several garments to be supported.

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating the use of the clasp;

Fig. 2,.a side velevation showing the clasp with the parts inoperative position;

Fig. 3, a rear elevation illustrating the manner of threading the strap through the passages in the backeof the clasp;

Fig. 4,,a longitudinalsection of the buckle or clasp showing the parts in the inopea'atlve or released position;

Fig. 5, a similar sectional view showing the parts inoperative or locked position and illustrating the grip on the strap and the garment; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the lever in a partly closed position and the tongue in engagement with the garment to be held.

The body of the buckleor clasp is a boxlike structure, consisting of a back portion 1 having parallel sides 2, and an end 3. The back is provided with two transverse slots 4, and there is a single slot 5 in theend adjacent to the back. Pivoted to the back by means of a pintle 6, or other suitable means, is a bent lever 7 of ordinary construction, having a short arm 8 provided with teeth 9 at its free end and adapted to bite into and grip a strap in the usual and well understood manner. The long arm 10 of this lever serves as a finger piece to facilitate the operation of the buckle or clas Tlie particularly novel feature of this device is the tongue 11 carried by the lever and serving to fasten the clasp to an additional article or articles at the same time and by the same movement that causes the teeth to grip the strap 12, see Figures 5 and Specif cation of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 17, 192.2. Serial No. 463,224.

6. This tongue may be pivoted to the lever by the pintle 13 passing through the ears 14, as shown, or it may be mounted in an other manner that may be expedient. The details are unessential so long as movement of the arm to close the clasp on a strap will force the free end of the tongue into bind ing engagement with a garment or garments to be supported. As shown, the end of the tongue passes through the slot 5 and carries with it a portion of the fabric, but the slot is not necessary as a very satisfactory tastening may be had by substituting a depression in the end or the back for the slot, and in some cases the mere pressure of the tongue against the end or back is suflicient.

In use, the shoulder strap is threaded between the short arm of the lever and the upper end of the back 1, as shown in Figure 5, then downwardly and to the right, through the upper slot 4, then down again and to the left, through the lowerslot and finally out through the slot 5 in the end. This arrangement causes the strap to lie close to the back portion of the body out of the way, and the portion 01 the strap lying in slot 5 assists the tongue in making the garment fast. Vith the arm 10 in the clasp may be slid along the strap to the desired height, the edges of the garments to be supported are laid on the body of the clasp well above the end, the tongue is pressed down against the fabric and the long arm of the lever is forced down to locking position, simultaneously securing the clasp to the strap and the garments to the clasp. I regard this double fastening by a single movement of the lever as broadly new and desire to secure commensurate protection.

The device can be used in pairs or in sets of four and it may support undergarments alone or an outer garmet alone, or, both at the same time. For example: it may support a vest, bandeau. or camisole, or, all of them and an evening gown. The strap may be changed to suit the occasion in color or material and the clasp or buckle will serve for all occasions. The device can be made of any suitable material and ornamented as desired.

Having thus claim:

1. Inadevice of the class described,a boxlike body including a back having a plurality of transverse slots therein, two sides, and an raised position,

described my invention, I

body having a slot end having a slot adjacent to the back, abent lever pivoted to the sides and having a long and a short arm, the short arm being equipped with teeth adapted to grip a strap or the like when the long arm is substantially parallel to the body, a tongue pivoted to the lever and adapted to pass through the slot in the end when the long arm is moved to cause the short arm to engage a strap or the like.

2. In a device of the class described, a body consisting of a plate having a plurality of transverse slots therein, two side pieces at right angles to said plate and an end piece having a slot adjacent to the plate, a strap lying between the side pieces and passing through said slots, a bent lever having arms of unequal length pivoted between the side pieces, the short arm having teeth adapted to bite into the strap when the long arm is substantially parallel with the plate,

a tongue pivoted to the lever andadapted to pass through the slot in the end when the lever is moved to grip the strap, whereby the strap and garment to be supported may be secured to the plate by a single movement of the bent lever.

In a device of the class described, a body and a bent lever hinged together and adapted to grip a material to be secured, said body having a slot therein, and a tongue hinged to said lever and adapted to enter said slot when the lever and body are moved gripping position. 4;. In a device of theclass described, a 4 therein, a, bent lever pivoted to the body, and a tongue pivoted on the lever and adapted to secure a fabric to the body by forcing a portion thereof into said slot.

5. In a device of the class described, a body, a bent lever pivoted to the body and adapted to bind a strap or the like to the body, and a tongue pivoted to the lever and adapted to secure an additional article to the body. o

.to provide a cover means and the portion of the article secured 6. In a device of the class described, a body having a projection thereon, a bent lever pivoted to the body and provided with means for binding a strap thereto, and a tongue carried by the lever and adapted to secure an article by pressing it against said projection. 1

7. In a device of the character described, a body,- a bent lever pivoted thereto and adapted, when in position, to bind a strap or the like against the body, and a pivoted tongue carried by the lever and adapted to secure an additional article to the body.

8. In a device ofthe class described, a body, a bent lever pivoted thereon and adapted to bind a strap or the like against one portion of the body, and a pivoted tongue carried by the lever and adapted to bind an additional article to another part of the body.

9. In a device of the class described, a body having a slot therein, a lever pivoted to the body and a'tongue carried by the lever and adapted to secure an article by pressing it into said slot.

10. In a device of the class described, a body, a lever pivoted to the body and provided with means for securing a strap or the like to the b0dy,and a tongue pivoted to the lever and adapted to secure an additional article to the body.

11. In a device ofthecla'ss described, a body provided with a laterally extending projection adjacent one end, a lever pivoted to the body adjacent the other end, and a tongue pivoted to the lever and adapted to secure articles to the body by pressing the same against said projection, said lever when in clamping position extending over said tongue and the edge of said projection for the article securing thereby.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

, MARGARET MAXWELL 

